Recruitment for Anishinaabek Stories and Lifeways Interpreters

It is the Anishinaabek legend—the story of the devoted mother bear and her lost cubs—from which Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s name is based. This fact alone is testament to the importance of the park’s landscapes and natural resources to the Anishinaabek of northwest lower Michigan and their ancestors. Yet little of their story, past and current knowledge of and respect for its resources of the land, is currently part of the park’s interpretation.The park has a current project to further develop partnerships with the region’s Anishinaabek Tribes by involving Anishinaabek youth in developing interpretive programs using the knowledge of their cultural patrimony and in consultation with their Tribal Elders. From these resources they can share their story and knowledge of this place with visitors through guided trail walks, distance learning programs, social media, and outreach into the local communities. This project will hire Park Rangers and and an SCA (Student Conservation Association) Resource Assistant to be part of the team to help develop this relationship and be a connection to the greater park community.

Duties

The Interpreter of Anishinaabek Stories and Lifeways Park Rangers will work in the park’s division of Interpretation and Education.

The duties will focus on:

Building Partnerships: Meet with members of the regional tribes, establish connections and engage tribal youth in park programming. Facilitate park connections and work as a part of the team to reach underserved youth.

Interpretation: Gather information and resources. Develop and present formal interpretive programs on-site to visitors. Make informal visitor contacts while out roving in the park. Answer questions, facilitate dialogue and help visitors connect to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Represent the National Park Service and Sleeping Bear Dunes at outreach programs at community events.

Social Media/Marketing: Create, manage, and post content on the park’s social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Flickr. Find new opportunities for engagement. Evaluate social media strategies using a variety of measurement tools and analytics. Promote the park through social media and using other marketing techniques (for example writing press releases, posting on calendar of event pages, working with the media, etc).

The SCA Resource Assistant will serve as the lead for the project.

Staffing for Project

2- Park Ranger GS-0099-05 Student Hires

Salary: $15.49 an hour

14 weeks

Summer-flexible start date—anywhere from mid-April to beginning of June

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1 SCA (Student Conservation Association) DHA Resource Assistant

Salary: $280/week

Minimum 12 weeks

March 1 week orientation (recommended but not mandatory)

Summer-flexible start date—anywhere from mid-May to the beginning of June

Direct Hire Authority: Targets an exceptional undergraduate, graduate student or recent graduates who are ready to begin a career with the National Park Service. Resource Assistant position is a rigorous internship that develops the participant’s technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities. This position would be the lead for the project. They would direct the project, set up meetings, develop partnerships, create programs and activities, gather resources, etc.

The NPS Academy includes a multi-phased approach which includes:

● A week-long orientation in March.

● A twelve-week internship beginning between May and September 2017.

● Post-internship, members are asked to serve as NPS ambassadors in their communities.

● Career preparation through a wide range of future placements with NPS and SCA.

● This program is legally authorized under the Public Lands Corps Act. Interns meeting certain qualifications can become eligible for Public Land Corps’ (PLC) non-competitive hiring authority for Federal positions.

The goals of the NPS Academy are to:

● Build career skills among diverse students by providing classroom and experiential opportunities that prepare them for working within the NPS

● Enhance interns’ connection to the NPS and skills for conservation careers through “on-the-job” training during summer internships

● Pair interns with NPS mentors who help deepen students’ knowledge of and connection to the National Park Service

● Engage students in ambassador roles to engage their university and/or community by specifically sharing their NPS Academy experience. Students will also promote more NPS and SCA opportunities among their peers and faculty

● Facilitate a career development path for successful Academy members to join the NPS workforce as seasonal, term and/or permanent employees

How to Apply

Go to USA Jobs at https://www.usajobs.gov/ and search “SLBE”. The Park Ranger positions will be listed. Apply to each position available. You must create an account to submit an application.

You can also send a resume and cover letter:

to Lisa Griebel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.